Machine for breaking and scutching fibrous material.



No. 759,198. PATENTED MAY 3, 1904. W. A. 6; A.'M. SHELY.

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SGUTUHING FIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 3. 1903. RENEWED DEO.12. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1%. 759,198. .PATENTED MAY 3, 1904.

W. A. & A. M. SHELY.

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SGUTGHING PIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 3, 1903. RENEWED 1120.12. 1903.

3&3 I Wa sh/M No; 759,198- PATENTED MAY 3, 1904.

W. A. & A. M. SHBLY. I

MACHINE FOR BREAKING 'AND SGUTOHING FIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLIGATION FILED nun. s, 1903. mmnwnn DEO.12. 1903.

no roman. 4 SHEETS-SEEET a.

|!i l!| m E 1:: i ze iii mi' gmlilml m g] M d 7 b W i PATJBNTEDMAY a,1904. W. A. & A. M. SHELY.

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SCUTUHING FIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 3, 1903. RENEWED D20. 12, 1903. N0 MODEL; 4SHEET8-BEEBT 4.

Niren STATES Patented May 3, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE. I

W'ILLIAM ADONIRAM SHELY AND ALDA MERRILL SHELY, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS. i

MACHINE FOR BREAKING AND SCUTCHING FIBROUS MATERIAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,198, dated May 3,1904.

Application filed March 3, 1903. Renewed December 12, 1908. :Serial No.184,993. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM ADONIRAM SHELY and ALDA MERRILL SHELY,citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Breaking and Cleaning Fibrous Material; andwe do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to machines for breaking and scutching orcleaning fibrous ma terial, such as hemp, flax, jute, sisal, and otherfiber-yielding plants.

The principal object of the invention and its main distinguishingcharacteristic is the operation upon the fibrous stalks 0r stocksprogressively toward their centers from opposite ends simultaneously.This simultaneous progressive action on opposite halves or portions ofthe material results in decided practical advantages, viz: First, thestalks need not be clamped so tightly by the feedcarriers, since theopposite pulls exerted thereon by the oppositely-arranged breaking andsc'utching mechanisms counteract each other; second, as the workprogresses toward the centers of the stalks all woody or cellularmatters, shreds, and waste are separated gradually from the fibersinstead of accumulating therein and clogging or encumber-ing theuncleaned portions of the stalks, as in the case of machines havingexactly the opposite mode of operation, in that they work the stalksfrom their centers outwardly toward their ends; third, the fibers areless liable to be ruptured or injured, and, fourth, after all cellularmatters are separated the fibers are continually whipped or combed outlengthwise, and are consequently delivered from the machine in excellentcondition for further treatment.

The invention includes, briefly, first, breakingand cleaning mechanismsfor operating simultaneously on opposite ends or portions of the fibrousstalks or stocks and progressively toward. their centers, saidmechanisms preferably consisting of break-bars and cooperating breakingand scutching devices; second, means for primarily breaking or crackingthe stalks at their centers and feeding them laterally to saidmechanisms; third, means for supporting the material between theopposite breaking and scutching mechanisms and means for adjustment tosuit stalks of different lengths, whereby only the opposite extremitiesof the stalks will be engaged by said mechanisms at the receiving end ofthe machine; fourth, means for feeding the material slowly along thebreaking and scutching mechanisms and presenting the stalks to saidmechanisms progressively from opposite ends toward their centers; fifth,auxiliary stalk feeding and holding devices arranged beside the oppositebreaking and scutching devices, and, sixth, mechanism for breaking andcleaning the central parts of the fibers after their end portions havebeen broken and cleaned.

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,illustrate a machine embodying these several features in cooperativerelation; but it will be understood that the invention can bepractically embodied in machines of other styles, provided thedistinguishing characteristic of the invention be incorporated to wit,operation upon the ma terial progressively toward the centers of thestalks from opposite ends simultaneously.

The invention will first be described with reference to said drawingsand will then be pointed out more particularly in the claims followingthis description.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the n-iachine, certainoverhanging partsbeing broken away for clearness. Fig. 2 is a centrallongitudinal section of the machine. Figs. 3 and 4 are top and sideviews, respectively, of a fragment of the main feed chain or carrier.Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section of the machine on line A A ofFig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 is an elevation ofone set of break-bars and cooperating breaking and scutching devices andauxiliary stalk feeding and holding devices. Fig. 7 is a detailtransverse section on line B B of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of thearrow and showing a fibrous stalk passing between the cooperating upperand lower disks which primarily break or crack the stalks at theircenters. Fig. 8 is a conventional representation of a transverse sectionthrough the main portion of the machine, showing the material undertreatment. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the driving-disk for the gyratoryfeed-bars or auxiliary stalk feeding and holding devices. Fig. 10 is anenlarged transverse section through the secondary carriers and mechanismwhich breaks and cleans the central parts of the fibers after their endportions have been treated, showing the fibers grasped by said carriersand under treatment by said mechanism. Fig. 11 is a detail view of a setof whippersor heaters. Fig. 12 is a detail View of a modification of thebreaking and scutching devices; and Figs. 13 and 1 1 are side and topviews, respectively, of another form of auxiliary stalk feeding andholding devices.

The letter a designates a feed-table along which the hemp, fiax, orother fibrous stalks are fed laterally by carriers 5 to the breaking andscutching mechanisms. Suitable devices for primarily breaking orcracking the stalks at their centers may be located at the deliveryendof this table, said devices in the present machine consisting of a pairof upper disks 0, coacting with an intermediate lower disk (Z, Figs. 1,2, and 7. As shown, table a is supported on adjustable standards 1. Theupperdisks are mounted on a shaft 2, which is suspended in adjustablehangers 3 and connected by sprocket-and-chain gearing at with the maindriving-shaft 5, to which power may be applied at pulley 6 from asuitable motor. The lower disk (Z and the front drums of carrierb aremounted on a shaft 7, having its bearings on the under side of table aand connecting with shaft 2 by intermeshing gears 8. A suitablearrangement of driving connections is represented and described herein;but it will be understood that this may be modified, as desired.

Adjoining the delivery end of table a is an adjustable stalk-supportingplatform f, which is preferably double inclined or pyramidal in form,being triangular both in plan view and in side elevation, highest andbroadest at its front end next table a and terminating in a blunt pointat its rear end. This platform may be adjusted to suit materials ofdifferent lengths, for long stalks the inclination of its sides beingcomparatively steep and for shorter stalks the inclination being less.To permit this adjustment, each side of the platform may consist of twooverlapping trianand-chain gearing 25 with shaft 21.

gular plates or boards 9 and 10. In Figs. 2 and 5 the lower plates 9 areshown fastened to bars or rafters 11, pivoted at their lower ends tofixed uprights 12, while the upper plates 10 are pivoted to bars orrafters 13,

opposite upper plates 10.

adjustably secured to bars 11 and connected by toggle-links 14 at theirupper ends. By this construction the pitch of the platform may be variedas desired, though such adjustability may also be obtained by otherdevices. By means of adjustable standards 1 table a, together withcarriers I) and lower disk (Z, may be raised or lowered to conform tothe pitch of the platform, so that the stalks may be delivered onto theapex thereof. Upper disks 0 may also be raised or lowered by adjustinghangers 3. The front ends of lower plates 9 are shown extending beyondthe upper boards 10 and under table a, while the space between thefrontends of said upper boards and the rear edge of said table isbridged by fingers c. It may be desirable to use a flat platform in someinstances, as when treating short material, in which case the devicesfor primarily cracking the centers of the stalks would not be needed.

The fibrous stalks pass rearward from table 0 onto platform f, andhaving been centrally cracked or broken between disks 0 and (Z thecentral breaks in the stalks fit over the ridge in the platform, whiletheir end portions naturally hang down upon the opposite inclined sides.The stalks are moved laterally along the platform by means of a centralcarrier which, as shown, consists of an endless feed chain passingaround drums or sprockets it and 2', located at the apex or front endand rear end, respectively, of the platform, so that the lower run ofthe carrier travels along the ridge just above the slot 15, formed bythe space between the edges of the Said carrier is shown provided withpivoted fingers 16, which at the lower run are held projected intogroove 15 and in engagement with the stalks lying athwart the platformby contact of right-angle tail members 17 of said fingers under a fixedbar or plate j, located between the carrier-drums, as shown in Figs. 2and 1. The front carrier-sprocket h is journaled in an adjustable hanger18 to compensate for adjustment of the platform. The rearcarriersprocket is journaled in a hanger 1.9 and is connected by asprocket-and-chain gearing 20 with suspended shaft 21, which may bedriven from the main shaft 5 by sprocket-andchain gearing 22 or from anyother suitable source of power.

At the front or wider part of platform f intermediate stalk feeders orcarriers may be employed. These are shown in Figs. 1 and 5, consistingof endless toothed chains k, passing around suitable drums or sprockets23, journaled in adjustable hangers 24., the shafts of the rear drumsbeing connected by sprocket- In the machine illustrated a pair ofbreakbars are arranged one above another at each lower side of theplatform and substantially parallel therewith, said break bars beingslightly separated, so that the ends of the fibers projecting beyond theedges of the platform can pass freely therebetween, as represented inconventional Fig. 8. These break-bars are preferably supported in suchmanner that they can be adjusted both vertically and laterally toward orfrom the adjoining breaking and scutching devices hereinafter described,so that the machine may be used for treating different materials varyingin coarseness and texture. The spaces between the upper and lowerbreakbars are continuous and uninterrupted throughout, so that thefibrous stalks can enter freely between them at the front of the machineand pass out at the rear. The upper break-bars may be adjustably securedto hangers 26 and the lower break-bars similarly secured to standards27.

Arranged alongside the break bars and. above the lower edges of theplatform are auxiliary feeding and holding devices, which assist inmoving the stalks rearward and in keeping their ends in position duringthe breaking and cleaning operation, such devices preventingdisarrangement or bunching of the stalks during their passage throughthe machine. For hemp and siinilar stalks the devices shown in Figs. 1,2, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 are preferred. These consist each of a set ofgyratory feedbars 0, which are preferably toothed or serrated on theirlower edges, so as to bite the stalks positively. One or two bars may beemployed, though three bars for each set are found most desirable. Thefeed-bars of each set are shown pivotally connected at their front endsto the face of a rotary disk on, which is mounted, on a shaft 28, drivenfrom the main shaft 5 by chain-and-sprocket gearing 29. This disk issetat an angle to the related breakbars, so that the feed-bars may begiven a gyratory or fallingandrising backward-and forward movementfollowing one another. The rear ends of the feed-bars are similarlysecured to the back of a correspondingly-arranged disk or, or they maybe otherwise sup ported to permit this gyratory movement. These gyratorybars feed the stalks in a twofold direction toward the breaking andcleaning mechanism and toward the rear or finishing end of the machine.Such gyratory feedbars are, perhaps, the most efficient devices whichmay be employed in this relation. They are not specifically claimed perse herein, but are separately illustrated, described, and claimed in ourcopending application for patent therefor, filed January 26, 1904,Serial No. 190,692.

In some cases, as when operating upon tangled or short stalks, theauxiliary feeding and holding mechanisms shown in Figs. 13 and 14 may besubstituted for the gyratory feedbars. This mechanism comprises a seriesof small pin-wheels .2, arranged along the inner side of the break-bars,set at an angle thereto and mounted on short shafts geared together,chain-and-sprocket gearing being indicated. employed in lieu of thegyratory feed-bars.

Exterior to and cooperating with each pair of break-bars is a suitabledevice or mechanism for breaking and cleaning the ends or portions ofthe stalks which project outwardly between the break-bars. These devicesor mechanisms should be such as will, first, break the stalks againstthe break-bars, which constitute anvils over which the material isbroken, and, second, continually seutch, beat, or comb the brokenportions, so as to remove all woody or cellular matters, shreds, andwaste,and cleanse and work out the fibers into pliable lengths. Thebreaking and scutching devices shown consist of rotary cylinders 9,provided with spiral ribs or blades 30, which one after another comeclose to the breakbars as the cylinders rotate and break the Othersuitable devices may also be stalks against either the upper or lowerbreakbars, according to the direction of rotation, and then scutch.comb, and thresh .out all woody or cellular matters. The cylinderspreferably rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 5,8, and 10, so as to break the stalks against the upper break-bars andcomb out the fibers in an upward direction. This arrangement could bereversed, however, the direction of rotation being best governed by thenature of the material to be treated. The fibers are scraped or combedfor the entire lengths thereof which project between the breakbars, andas the stalks move along the supportingplatform these projecting lengthsincrease owing to the convergenee of the opposite brea k-bars, so thatthe beneficial scutching action of the cylinders becomes moreappreciable. The cylinders may also carry brushes 31, these beingpreferably detachable, since they are not always needed. Theshafts oraxles of said cylinders are shown mounted in suitable standards andconnected to the main shaft 5 by bevel-gears 32. shown anyequivalentform may be substituted, such as rotary reels having suitableribs or blades thereon, or other suitable devices may be employed tocooperate with the break-bars.

Since the cylinders q rotate continuously in one direction, breaking thematerial only against the upper or the lower break-bars, (in the presentcase the upper ones,) it will be observed that the other bars (here thelower ones) serve principally as stationary guides and supports for thestalks or fibers, and hence are not essential to the breaking andcleaning operation. Therefore a single break-bar may be employed at eachside. of the platform, if desired, though a pair of such break-bars ispreferred, not only because they guide and hold the material in place,but also because they permit breaking the material against either theupper or lower bar and scutching and combing it upward or dowmvard. Thislat- In place of the cylinders ter function, however, may also beaccomplished by employing a single break-bar of suitable constructionand passing the material either under or over said break-bar, accordingto whether the breaking and scutchingdevice acts upward or downward.

Another form of breaking and scutching mechanism is represented in Fig.12, wherein y designates two spiral ribs or blades mounted onoppositely-rotating arms, the circle transcribed by one blade beinggreater than that transcribed by the other, so that the blades can passeach other at diametrically opposite points in each revolution. Thisform of mechanism causes alternate up-and-down strokes on the sameportion of the material, the ribs or blades actingin rapid alternation.on the ends or portions of the stalks or fibers which project outbetween the break-bars and breaking them alternately against the upperand lower break-bars and combing the broken fibers alternately upwardand downward. This action results in breaking the stalks efl'ectively,facilitates separation of all cellular matters and waste, and overcomesthe tendency of unretted material to bend instead of breaking. Suchmechanism is very efficient'in some cases, but is merely shown as one ofthe various mechanisms which may be substituted for the rotary ribbedcylinders. No specific claim is made herein to this particular form ofmechanism; but it is illustrated, described, and claimed in ourcopending application, filed March 3, 1903, Serial No. 145,885.

It is desirable to arrange the break-bars and coacting devicesrelatively inclined to each other, since if both were straight andparallel the entire row of stalks would be broken simultaneously,causing heavy jars and requiring more power to operate the machine.Hence ribs or blades 30, as well as blades y, are pref- Y erably but notessentially spirally-twisted or otherwise relatively inclined to thebreakbars, so that they have ashear-like action with the bars, strikingthe stalks successively from one end of the platform to the otherinstead of striking the whole row simultaneously.

Owing to the rearward convergence of the break-bars and cooperatingmechanisms, as the fibrous stalks move along the supportingplatformtheir ends project farther and farther between the break-bars, and hencethe stalks become broken and cleaned gradually toward their centers fromopposite ends simultaneously, the advantages of which mode of treatmenthave previously been pointed out. The stalks are cleaned almost whollyduring their passage along the platform, but their central parts,grasped by carrier g, have yet to be broken and cleaned by a secondaryoperation. This is preferably performed by a continuation of one set ofbreak-bars and cooperating devices, which extend beyond those of theother set and beyond the rear end or point of the platform. To carry thefibers along such extended mechanism, suitable secondary feed devicesmay be employed, adapted to grasp the cleaned portions of the fiberspassing from the shorter mechanism and carry them rearward until thebreaking and cleaning operation is completed. The secondary feed devicesshown consist of endless tubular compressible belts, which may bepneumatic tubes. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 10.) One belt is arranged aboveand intermediate two lower belts s and cooperates therewith to grasp thefibers. The upper belt '1 passes around grooved pulleys t, journaled inhangers, and the lower belt passes around double-grooved pulleys a,mounted on standards. The belts may be driven by any suitableconnection. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the front pulley t is connectedby sprocketand-chain gearing 33 with overhead shaft 21. One of the lowerpulleys a may be similarly connected with the main shaft 5, if desired.The coacting runs of the belts may be confined between guide-plates 2;,Fig. 10, so that the fibers will be held firmly throughout the length ofsaid coacting runs. ,A triangular table or support w for the fibers maybe provided between the belts and the extended breaking and cleaningmechanism, said table being supported on suitable standards frombeneath. As the fibers are carried rearward by the belts their centralportions are subjected to the action of the extended breaking andscutching mechanism, so that when eventually delivered from the ,machinethey are thoroughly cleaned throughout.

To assist in keeping the fibrous ends of the material in position and incleaning the broken herds and shreds therefrom, whippers or beaters maybe employed. These may be applied to more or less of the surface ofeither one or both of the cylinders q, but are shown applied only to theextension of the-longer cylinder opposite the secondary feed devices. Asillustrated in Figs. 1. 10, and 11, these whippers consist of a seriesof curved fingers or rods {0, which are suitably attached to a rock-bar3 1, having its bearings supported on the upper break-bar or at otherconvenient place. Said bar is shown provided with a crank 35, connectedby pitman 36 to a crankdisk 37 on a short shaft 38, journaled in hangersand driven from the shaft 21 by sprocketand-chain gearing 39.

The operation of the machine may be briefly summarized as follows: Thestalks are placed transversely on table a and are fed laterally bycarriers Z) between coacting disks 0 and (Z and thence onto platform f.Having been centrally cracked or broken between said coacting disks, thestalks conform to the shape of the platform and their opposite halves orend portions hang naturally down upon the opposite inclined sidesthereof. Central carrier g engages the stalks and moves them rearward,which movement is facilitated by the shape of the platform and isassisted by intermediate carriers 7; and the auxiliary gyratingfeed-bars 0. As soon as the length of the stalks permit their ends passthrough the spaces between the upper and lower breakbars 7) and arestruck by the breaking-andscutching ribs 30 of the rotating cylinders.Owing to the convergence of the break-bars and cooperating mechanisms,as the stalks move rearward they project farther and farther between thebreak-bars, whereby they are broken and scutched progressively towardtheir centers, while their projecting portions are continuously whippedor combed out lengthwise. hen the stalks reach the rear end of platformf, they are broken and cleaned throughout, excepting their small centralparts, which must yet be acted upon. The cooperating tubular belts r and8 now grasp the fibers at the cleaned portions thereof pass ing fromtheshorter breaking and scutching mechanism and carry them rearwardbeside the extended portion of the longer breaking and scutchingmechanism, which acts upon the central uncleaned parts. Thus the fibersare eventually delivered from the machine thoroughly cleaned and inexcellent condition.

While the employment with means fol-feeding the stalks laterally of abreak-bar arranged at-an angle to the direction of feed and acooperating device or mechanism for breaking the projecting portions ofthe stalks against the same is a very efficient arrangement for treatingthe material progressively and one which we regard as an important fea'ture of our invention, the invention is not limited to the employment ofsuch break-bars and cooperating devices nor to two entire mechanisms, asherein represented, but includes any equivalent arrangement that mightbe adopted for o1i erating progressively from the ends toward thecenters of the stalks or fibers, and it will also be understood that theword stalks as used in the following claims includes any fibrousmaterial suitable to be treated by machines of the character described.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

1. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, twomechanisms arranged to operate at different points simultaneously uponopposite ends of the stalks or stems and progressively from said endstoward the centers.

2. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, means forcentrally holding and laterally feeding the stalks or stems, and twoopposite mechanisms arranged to operate simultaneously upon oppositeends of the stalks or stems and progressively from said ends toward thecenters.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with meansfor feeding the stalks laterally, of a break-bar and cooperating deviceangularly arranged with relation to the line of feed so that the stalksare broken and cleaned progressively from the ends thereof toward thecenters.

4. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, oppositemechanisms adapted simultaneously to workupon and break the oppositeends of such material, and means for presenting the material to saidmechanisms progressively from both ends of said material toward thecenter thereof.

5. A machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material comprising twoopposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms, and means for feeding fibrousmaterial therepast and simultaneously presenting opposite ends of thematerial to the respective mechanisms, progressively from both ends ofsaid material toward the center thereof.

6. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, mechanismfor feeding the stalks laterally, and opposite similar mechanisms forsimultaneously breaking and cleaning the opposite ends of the stalks,said feed mechanism presenting the stalks simultaneously to saidbreaking and cleaning mechanisms progressively from both ends of thematerial toward the center thereof.

7. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, oppositebreak-bars, breaking and cleaning mechanisms cooperating therewith, andmeans for passing fibrous material along said break-bars and presentingit simultaneously to said breaking and cleaning mechanisms from bothends of said material toward the center thereof.

8. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous stalks, oppositebreak-bars, and breaking and cleaning mechanisms beside said break-barsand coacting therewith, with means for feeding the stalks laterallyalong the lengths of the break-bars and presenting the stalkssimultaneously to said breaking and cleaning mechanisms progressivelyfrom both ends of said stalks toward the centers. thereof.

9. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibers, &c., two oppositebreaking and cleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously onopposite ends of the fibers, said mechanisms converging toward the rearend of the machine, substantially as described.

10. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, two opposite breaking andcleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on opposite endsof thefibers, one of said mechanisms extendingrearwardly beyond theother, substantially as described.

11. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, two opposite breaking andcleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on opposite endsof the fibers, in combination with mechanism for feeding fibrousmaterials longitudinally of and along said breaking and cleaningmechanisms and presenting the material simultaneously to said mechanismsprogressively from both ends of said material toward the center thereof.

12. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, two opposite breaking andcleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on opposite endsof the fibers, said mechanisms converging toward the rear end of themachine, in combination with mechanism for feeding fibrous materialslongitudinally of and along said breaking and cleaning mechanisms,whereby the fibers are progressively cleaned from both ends toward thecenter.

13. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, a pair of oppositebreaking and cleaning mechanisms, a fiber holding and feeding devicebetween said mechanisms adapted to carry fibers therepast, break-barsbeside said mechanisms against which the ends of the fibers are broken,and auxiliary feed devices beside said break-bars.

14. In a fiber breaking and cleaning machine, apair of convergingbreaking and cleaning mechanisms, fiber holding and feeding devicesbetween said mechanisms adapted to carry laterally arranged fiberstherepast, break-bars beside said mechanisms against which the ends ofthe fibers are broken, and auxiliary feed devices beside saidbreak-bars.

15. In a machine for treating fibrous material, an adjustable platform,break-bars along the opposite sides thereof, movable breaking andcleaning devices beside and cooperating with said break-bars, andmechanism for feeding fibers over said platform and along thebreak-bars, substantially as described.

16. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a central platform,converging breakbars along the opposite sides thereof, movable breakingand cleaning devices beside and cooperating with said break-bars, andmechanism for feeding fibers over said platform and along thebreak-bars, substantially as described.

17. In a machine for treating fibrous material, an adjustable platform,break-bars along the opposite sides thereof, movable breaking andcleaning devices beside and cooperating with said break-bars, mechanismfor feeding fibersover said platform and along the breakbars, one set ofbreakbars and breaking devices being extended beyond the other andadapted to operate on the centers of the fibers, substantially asdescribed.

18, In a machine for treating fibrous 1naterial, a central adjustableplatform, converging break-bars along the opposite sides thereof,movable breaking and cleaning devices beside and cooperating with saidbreak-bars, mechanism for feeding laterally-arranged fibers over saidplatform and along the break-bars, one set of break-bars and breakingdevices being extended beyond the other and adapted to operate on thecenters of the fibers, substantially as described.

19. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of opposite break-bars,mechanism between the break-bars forfeeding material therepast and longitudinally thereof, and a breakingand cleaning mechanism beside and cooperating with each break-bar, saidmechanisms being adapted to operate simultaneously upon the oppositeends of the material progressively from both ends of said materialtoward the center thereof, as

"it is passed along the break-bars.

20. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of a breakbar, mechanism beside said break-bar and 00-operating therewith to break and clean the material, and mechanism forfeeding the material along said break-bar, said feeding mechanism movingthe material at an angle to said break-bar so as to bring the materialgradually more and more under the action of the said breaking andcleaning mechanism, substantially as described.

21. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of mechanism for holding fibrous material centrally andfeeding it laterally, opposite break-bars along which the oppositeendsof the material are passed, and opposite breaking mechanismscooperating with said break bars to work the material simultaneouslyfrom both ends progressively toward the center, and auxiliary feedingmechanisms beside and coacting with said break-bars.

22. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of mechanism for holding fibrous stalks centrally andfeeding them laterally, opposite break -bars along which the oppositeends of the stalks are passed longitudinally, and opposite similarrotary breaking mechanisms cooperating with said bars to work the stalksprogressively and simultaneously from both ends toward the center, andauxiliary feeding mechanisms beside and coacting with said break-bars.

23. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibers, two opposite breakingand cleaning mechanisms adapted to operate simultaneously on the fibers,said mechanisms converging toward the rear end of the machine, and oneof said mechanisms being extended rearwardly beyond the other,substantially as described.

2 1. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, twoopposite similar breaking and cleaning mechanisms adapted to operatesimultaneously on opposite ends of the stalks, said mechanismsconverging toward the rear of the machine and one of them beingprolonged rearwardly beyond the other; in combination with mechanism forfeeding stalks past said breaking and cleaning mechanisms, and secondaryfeeding mechanism for carrying the fibers past the extension of thelonger mechanism, substantially as described.

25. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of a breakbar, a breaking and cleaning mechanism coactingtherewith, means for feeding stalks past said break-bar, longitudinallythereof, and gyrating feed-bars coacting with said break-bar,substantially as described.

26. In amachine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of oppositely-disposed break-bars, a breaking and cleaningmechanism beside and coacting with each break-bar, and a set of gyratoryfeedbars beside and coacting with each break-bar, substantially asdescribed.

27. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of oppositely-disibosed converging break-bars, a rotarybreaking and cleaning mechanism beside and coacting with each break-bar,and a set of gyratory feed-bars beside and coacting with each break bar,substantially as described.

28. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of oppositely-disposed break-bars, cleaning and breakingmechanisms coacting therewith, an intermediate platform over which thestalks are fed, mechanism for feeding the stalks along said platform,and gyratory feed-bars beside and coacting with each break-bar,substantially as set forth.

29. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrousmaterial, thecombination of oppositely-disposed converging break-bars, a rotarycleaning and breaking cylinder coacting with each break-bar, anintermediate adjustable platform over which the stalks are fed,

mechanism for feeding the stalks along said platform, and gyratoryfeed-bars beside and coacting with each break-bar, substantially as setforth.

30. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of a doubleinclined platform, a central carrier cooperatingtherewith, and opposite breaking and cleaning mechanisms at the oppositesides and lower edges of said platform, with means for feeding stalkslaterally toward said platform, and mechanism for centrally cracking thestalks to cause them to hang over the platform, substantially asdescribed.

31. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of mechanism for breaking and cleaning the fibers, with acarrier composed of opposite endless pneumatic belts, and guides betweenwhich the coacting stalk-clamping runs of said belts are passed,substantially as described.

32. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of a rotating cleaning and breaking cylinder, with avibrating series of whips arranged and operating transversely of thecylinder and coacting therewith, substantially as described.

83. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, incombination, break-bars, a rotary breaking and cleaning cylinder besidethe break-bars, and mechanism for feeding fibrous material along thebreak-bars and cylinder, with a series of transversely-arrangedvibrating whips coacting with the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

34. In a machine for, breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of the breakbars, mechanism for feeding fibrous materialalong the bars, and rotating spiral breaking and cleaning ribs or bladescoacting therewith, and auxiliary feed devices beside and coacting withsaid break bars, substantially as described.

35. In combination, a longitudinally disposed break-bar and. mechanismfor feeding stalks longitudinally along said bar; with breaking andcleaning mechanism coacting with said bar, said mechanism includingmeans for breaking the ends of a row of stalks pro jectingbeyond the barprogressively from said ends along the length thereof toward the centerof the stalks.

36. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, a rotarystalk breaking and cleaning cylinder, combined with a series of curvedfingers lying transversely of the cylin der and means for vibrating saidfingers toward and from the periphery of the cylinder, for the purposeand substantially as described.

37. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of the pyramidal platform, opposite converging breakbars,feed mechanism for moving the fibers over said platform and alongsaidbreak-bars, the rotary ribbed cylinders beside and coacting withsaid break-bars to break .and clean the opposite ends of the fiberssimultaneously, and the auxiliary feed mechanism beside and coactin gwith said breakbars, all substantially as described.

38. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of the platform, the opposite converging break-bars besidethe lower edges thereof, mechanism for feeding the fibers over saidplatform and along said break-bars, one of said break-bars beingprolonged beyond the other, and the auxiliary feed mechanism beside andcoacting with said break-bars, with the rotary ribbed cylinders besideand coacting with said break-bars, one of said cylinders extendingbeyond the other, and a secondary feed mechanism for carrying thepartially-cleaned fibers from the end of the short cylinder past theextension of the longer cylinder, all substantially as described.

39. In a machine for breaking and cleaning fibrous material, thecombination of the platform, the opposite converging break-bars besidethe lower edges thereof, the mechanisms for feeding the fibers over saidplatform and along said break-bars, one of said break-bars beingprolonged beyond the other, and auxiliary feed mechanism beside andcoacting with said breakbars,with rotary cylinders having spiral ribsbeside and coacting with said breakbars, one of said cylinders extendingbeyond the other, a secondary feed mechanism for carrying thepartially-cleaned fibers from the end of the short cylinder past theextension of the 'longer cylinder, and Whips coacting with the extensionof the longer cylinder, all substantially as described.

L0. In a machine for treating fibrous material, afeed-platform havingaplurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle Withrelation to each other, feeding mechanism extending along such platformat an oblique angle to at least one of said edges, and mechanism foroperating on the material located along said edges.

41. In a machine for treating fibrous mate rial, afeed-platform having aplurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle Withrelation to each other, feeding mechanism extending along such platformin oblique -relation to both of such edges, and mechanism for operatingon the material located along said edges.

42. In a machine for treating fibrous material, afeed-platform havingaplurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle withrelation to each other and having inclined sides converging mediallythereof and forming a ridge extending in oblique relation to the sideedges thereof, feeding mechanism mounted along the ridge of suchplatform, and mechanism for operating on the material located along theopposite side edges of such platform.

43. Ina machine for treating fibrous material, a feed-platform havingaplurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle withrelationto each other and havinginclined sides converging centrallythereof and forming a ridge extending in oblique relation to the sideedges thereof, movable feeding mechanism extending parallel with theridge of such platform, and mechanism for operating on the materiallocated along the opposite side edges of such platform.

44. In a machine for treating fibrous material, afeed-platform having apluralityof longitudinal edges extending at an oblique angle Withrelationto each other, feeding mechanism extending along such platformin oblique relation to such edges, supplementary feeding mechanismextendingparallel With such edges, and mechanism for operating on thematerial located along such edges.

45. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangularfeed-platform, central feeding mechanism extending longitudinally alongsuch platform in oblique relation to such edges, convergingsupplementary feed mechanisms at opposite sides thereof, and mechanismfor operating on the material located along the opposite convergingedges of such platform.

46. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangularfeed-platform having inclined sides converging medially thereof andforming a ridge extending longitudinally in oblique relation to theouter edges, feeding mechanism comprising a toothed chain extendingparallel with the ridge of such platform, and mechanism for operating onthe material located at the said outer edges.

&7. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangularfeed-platform having inclined sides converging medially thereof andforming an apex extending longitudinally in oblique relation to theouter edges, feeding mechanism comprising a toothed chain extendingparallel with the ridge of such platform, supplementary feedingmechanism extending along the outer edges thereof, and mechanism foroperating on the material located at said outer edges.

l8. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangularfeed-platform having inclined sides converging medially thereof andforming a ridge extending longitudinally in oblique relation to theouter edges, a central feeding device extending along the ridge of suchplatform, supplementary feeding mechanism comprising movable toothedbars mounted on each side thereof in oblique relation thereto, andmechanism for operating on the material located at the outer edges ofsuch platform.

49. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a triangular feed-platform, a toothed feed-chain extending longitudinally thereof inoblique relation to its outer converging edges, supplementary feedingmechanism comprising longitudinally-movable toothed bars extending inoblique relation to such chain, and mechanism for operating on thematerial located at the opposite edges of such platform.

50. In a machine for treating fibrous material, opposite break-barsarranged in oblique relation to each other, rotatable breaking andscutching blades cooperating therewith having their axes parallel Withsuch break-bars, and feeding mechanism intermediate such break-bars andextending in oblique relation thereto.

51. In a machine for treating fibrous material, opposite breaking andscutching mechanisms comprising revolving blades arranged in obliquerelation to each other, the rear end of one of such mechanisms extendingbeyond that of the other, break-bars arranged intermediate such bladesand parallel with the axial centers thereof, a triangular feed-platformhaving its outer edges parallel With such breakbars and With the axialcenters of such blades, feeding mechanism extending longitudinally alongsaid platform in oblique relation to said break-bars and mechanisms, andsecondary feeding mechanism for carrying the material along theextension of the longer breaking and scutching mechanism.

52. In a machine for treating fibrous material, opposite breaking andscutching mechanisms comprising revolving blades mounted in obliquerelation to each other, break-bars arranged intermediate such blades andparallel with the axlal centers thereof, a triangular feed-platformhaving its outer edges parallel longitudinal edges disposed at anoblique angle with relation to each other, a toothed feedchain extendingalong such platform in oblique relation to both of such edges, toothedfeeding-bars vibratingly mounted on opposite sides of such chain, andmechanism for operating on the material located at the opposite edges ofsuch platform.

54%. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a feeding-platformhaving a plurality of longitudinal edges extending at an oblique anglewith relation to each other, feeding mechanism extending along suchplatform at an oblique angle to both of such edges, toothed feed-barsvibratingly mounted along the converging edges of such platform, rotarydriving-disks to which said feed-bars are secured mounted with theiraxial centers at an oblique angle to the feed-bars, and mechanism foroperating on the material located at the opposite edges of saidplatform.

55. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a pair of, breaking andseutching mechanisms arranged obliquely in relation to eachother,feeding mechanism mounted intermediate such mechanisms, and acentral supporting element for the material comprising a centralguiding-ridge portion extending obliquely in relation to said breakingand scutching mechanisms.

56. In a machine for treating fibrous material, a feedplatform having aplurality of longitudinal edges disposed at an oblique angle withrelation to each other, means for feeding laterally arranged materialalong such platform at an oblique angle to at least one of such edges,and mechanism for operating on the material located along said edges.

57. In a machine for treating fibrous material, means for'supportingstalks transversely arranged to their line of movement, feed mechanismfor moving the stalks laterally, and opposite supplementary feedingdevices obliquely disposed and converging, tending to feed the stalkslaterally and to draw them out endwise.

58. In a machine for treating fibrous material, means for supportingstalks transversely arranged to their line of movement, feedingmechanism for moving the stalks laterally, and opposite supplementaryfeeding devices tending to feed the stalks laterally and to draw themout endwise.

59. In a machine for treating fibrous material, means for laterallyfeeding transverselyarranged stalks, and opposite obliquely-disposedsupplementary feeding mechanism.

60. In a machine for treating fibrous material, converging feeding meansfor conveying laterally stalks or material disposed transversely of suchfeeding means.

61. A support for stalks or fibers, in amachine for treating fibrousmaterial, over which the stalks or fibers are adapted to be laidtransversely, said support having opposite longitudinal fixed portions,at or beyond which the stalks or fibers are adapted to be treated byoperating instrumentalities, and an intermediate longitudinal adjustableportion adapted to be raised or lowered to vary the distance between thesame and said fixed portions, whereby said support can be adjusted tosuit material of different lengths.

62. A stalk or fiber support, for machines for treating fibrousmaterial, having opposite longitudinal fixed portions disposed inoblique relation, at or beyond which stalks or fibers arrangedtransversely of said support are adapted to be worked or treatedibyoperating instrumentalities, and an intermediate longitudinal adjustableridge portion adapted to be raised or lowered for varying the distancebe tween the same and said fixed portions.

63. A stalk or fiber support, for machines for treating fibrousmaterial, having opposite longitudinal fixed portionsdisposed in obliquerelation, at or beyond which stalks or fibers arranged transversely ofsaid support are adapted to be worked or treated by operatinginstrumentalities, and an intermediate ridge portion obliquely disposedto said fixed portions and downwardly inclined toward the point towardwhich said fixed portions converge and having its upper end adjustableupward or downward. 64:. A stalk or liber support, for machines fortreating fibrous material, having opposite converging fixed portions ator beyond which stalks or fibers arranged transversely of said supportare adapted to be worked or treated by operating instrumentalities, anda medial inclined ridge portion also converging toward the point ofconvergence of sa' 1 fixed portions and having its upper end verticallyadjustable.

65. A feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, overwhich the material is designed to rest transversely, said platformhaving opposite fixed edges and an intermediate longitudinal adjustablepart adapted to be raised or lowered to vary the distance between thesame and said fixed edges.

66. A feedqplatform of the character described having opposite fixededges obliquely disposed to each other and an intermediate longitudinaladjustable part adapted to be raised or lowered.

67. A feed-platform of the character described having oppositeconverging edges and inclined sides converging medially and forming adownwardly-inclined ridge.

68. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for breaking andcleaning fibrous material, having opposite edges converging or obliquelydisposed to each other, over which platform the material to be treatedis adapted to be fed laterally.

69. A feed-platform of the character described of substantiallytriangular form having a medial ridge downwardly inclined toward thepoint and inclined sides which are adjustable for elevating the upperend of the ridge.

70. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrousmaterial, and means for varying the inclination of its sides.

71. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrousmaterial, having its opposite edges disposed in oblique relation, andadjustable inclined sides capable of having their inclination changed.

72. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrousmaterial, having its opposite sides adjustable for varying their width.

73. A double inclined feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrousmaterial, having its opposite edges converging and its inclined sidesadjustable for varying their width.

74. A feed-platform of the character described having opposite fixededges and inclined sides converging in an intermediate ridge, said sidesbeing adjustable for varying their width and the position of said ridge.

75. A feed-platform of the character described having oppositeconverging fixed edges and inclined sides converging in an intermediateridge, said sides being adjustable for varying their width and theposition of said ridge.

76. A feed-platform of the character described having oppositeconverging fixed edges and inclined sides converging in an intermediateridge, and means for adjusting the wider portions of said inclined sidesfor varying their inclination and the position of said ridge.

77. Afeed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, havingopposite converging edges, at or beyond which fibrous material laidathwart the platform is adapted to be treated by operatinginstrumentalities, and means for varying the width of said platform atits wider end.

78. A feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, havingopposite converging edges and formed of two parts meeting in the medialline of the platform and each extensible transversely.

79. A feed-platform, for machines for treating fibrous material, havingopposite converging edges and inclined sides converging in anintermediate ridge, each side capable of being extended in widthsubstantially in the di rection ofan arc having as a center the point ofconvergence of the ridge and outer edge of said side.

80. A feed-platform comprising two substantially triangularly-shapedinclined sides converging in a medial ridge, each side being adjlustablefor varying its width at its broader enc.

81. A feed-platform comprising two substantially triangularly-shapedsides meeting in an intermediate line, each side consisting ofoverlapping plates adjustably secured together.

82. A feed-platform comprising two substantially triangularly-shapedsides meeting in an intermediate line, each side consisting of twooverlapping triangular plates having their points comparatively fixedand otherwise adjustably secured together.

83. A feed-platform comprising two substantially triangularly-shapedsides meeting in an intermediate line, each side consisting of twooverlapping triangular plates having their points comparatively fixedand otherwise adjustably secured together, the outer edges of saidplatform being relatively fixed.

84. A double inclined or roof-shaped feedplatform, each side of whichconsists of two overlapping plates, transverse bars or rafters to whichthe lower plates are secured having their lower parts pivotally attachedto fixed supports, transverse bars or rafters to which the upper platesare secured, the upper and lower bars being adjustably secured together,and toggle-links connecting the upper ends of the upper bars.

85. A feed-platform having opposite obliquely-related edges and inclinedsides which provide an intermediate ridge, and a carrier for movingtransverselyarranged material along the platform traveling along saidridge.

86. A feed-platform having opposite obliquely-related edges and inclinedsides which provide an intermediate ridge, and feeding mechanism formoving stalks or fibers laid athwart said platform along the same.

87. A feed-platform having opposite inclined sides the upper edges ofwhich are sepa rated to provide a slot in the ridge, and a carriertraveling along said ridge having projections depending in said slot forengaging stalks v accordance with the adjustment of the feedplatform.

90. In combination with a pyramidal or double-inclined platform havingits pitch or ridge elevation adjustable, a feed-table provided withmeans for conveying transversely-arranged material onto said. platform,and means for adjusting the height of said feed-table.

91. A feed-platform having a plurality of longitudinal edges obliquelyrelated, and feedin g mechanism extending longitudinally along saidplatform at an oblique angle to at least one of said edges.

92. A feed-platform having opposite longitudinal edges obliquelyrelated, and feeding mechanism extending along said platform at anoblique angle to both of such edges.

93. A feed-platform having a plurality of longitudinal edges obliquelyrelated and opposite inclined sides forming an intermediate longitudinalridge, and feeding mechanism extending parallel with said ridge.

94. A feedp1atform having opposite longitudinal edges obliquely related,and feeding mechanism for moving transversely-a1ranged material alongsaid platform at an angle to both of said edges.

95. In combination with a feed-platform having opposite inclined sidesforming a longitudinal ridge, means for feeding transversely-arrangedstalks to said platform, and means for cracking said stalksintermediatel y to cause them to hang or rest upon the opposite inclinedsides thereof.

96. In combination with a feed-platform having opposite inclined sidesforming a longitudinal ridge, means for feeding transversely-arrangedstalks to said platform, and means for cracking the stalksintermediately before passing to said platform, comprising a pair ofdisks and a coacting intermediate disk between which and the said pairthe stalks are passed.

97. In combination with a feed-platform having opposite inclined sidesforming a medial longitudinal ridge, means for feedingtransverse]y-arranged stalks to said platform and means for crackingthem at their medial portions.

98. The combination of a feed-platform having opposite edges disposed inoblique relation to each other,at or beyond which transverselyarrangedmaterial is adapted to be treated by operating instrumentalities, meansfor feeding transversely-arranged material onto the receiving end ofsuch platform, and means for feeding such material longitudinally alongsuch platform.

99. The combination of a feed platform having opposite obliquely-relatededges and inclined sides forming an intermediate longitudinal ridgedownwardly rearwardly inclined, and means for feet lingtransversely-arranged material onto the receiving end of such platform.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

W ILLIAM ADONIRAM SHELY.

ALDA MERRILL SHELY. Witnesses:

FRANK CLARK,

J OTIN EDWARD WARD

